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SOCY333 Qualitative Research Methods

Updated: 28 April 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Armidale Semester 2 On Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites 12cp at 100 level in SOCY or candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Gail Hawkes (ghawkes@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit introduces students to qualitative research methods in sociology. Approaches covered will be selected from a range including, but not necessarily limited to: ethnography, life history analysis, interviewing, focus groups, document analysis, action research, content and discourse analysis, and visual analysis. Questions of research ethics and validity and reliability will also be addressed. Students who successfully complete the unit should be sufficiently familiar with the various approaches to be able to match appropriate method(s) to particular research contexts.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Qualitative Research Methods
ISBN: 9780195551433
Liamputtong, P., Oxford University Press 3rd ed. 2009
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Essay 40% 3000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 6 and 7
Online Assessment 10%
Assessment Notes
Tutorial/online discussion assessment
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 6 and 7
Final Examination 2 hrs 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 6 and 7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. evaluate the context-bound appropriateness of a range of qualitative research methods;
  2. argue convincingly for the reliability and validity of particular methods and the limits thereof;
  3. demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimensions of qualitative research methods;
  4. successfully construct a research proposal.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
This unit introduces students to qualitative research methods in sociology. These elements are integral to both learning and assessment. It is taught in lectures, study notes and readings, practised in tutorial and online exercises, and assessed via worksheet assignments and the exam. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
These skills are developed in live tutorials and online discussion. Communication skills are taught and assessed through each assessment task. 		True True True
6 Problem Solving
At all levels of learning and assessment, emphasis on the practical use of research methods in addressing social issues. The unit seeks throughout to focus on the acquisition of practical skills in undertaking research. Students' problem solving skills are developed and assessed in their assessment tasks. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Throughout the unit material emphasis is placed upon issues of ethics and of accountability in research. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay, exam questions and discussions in tutorials or online postings. 		True True True
   

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